College Hockey:

Ready for some hockey? I had said in my last blog entry before Christmas that the picks wouldn’t returning until January 7. But peer pressure from my follow writers at USCHO.com has made me decide to do some quick picks.

The schedule this week is a smorgasbord of leagues games, holiday tournaments and straight-up nonconference affairs.

AHA Conference Games:

Air Force at Bentley (12/30 and 12/31) – In a battle of Falcons, I’m picking the visitors to sweep. Air Force 3, Bentley 1; Air Force 4, Bentley 3.

Holy Cross at Connecticut (12/29) – This game doubles as a league contest as well as the first round of the UConn Holiday Classic. I like the Crusaders to win a close one. Holy Cross 3, UConn 2.

RIT at Robert Morris (12/30) – This one is part of the NHL Winter Classic weekend and will be played at the Consol Energy Center in downtown Pittsburgh. I think Robert Morris will avenge an earlier loss to RIT and regain first place in the AHA. Robert Morris 4, RIT 2.

Touraments:

UConn Holiday Classic (12/29 and 12/30) – Assuming my first pick is correct, I think UConn finishes fourth and Holy Cross falls in the title game against either Bowling Green or Princeton.

Ledyard Bank Tournament (12/30 and 12/31) – Mercyhurst will face off against host Dartmouth in the semifinals, and I think the Lakers will spoil things for the home team. Mercyhurst 3, Dartmouth 2. I think Boston College will will this tournament, with the Lakers either falling to the Eagles in the title game or defeating Colgate in the consolation, based on what happens in the first round.

Catamount Cup (1/1 and 1/2) – Army plays three games in four days this weekend. After squaring off against Merrimack at home on 12/30, the Black Knights travel to Vermont and will face Harvard in the first round and Ohio State in the other game. I’m a split for Army. Army 3, Harvard 2; Ohio State 3, Army 1.Non-Conference Games:

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Cyanwinters

RIT is now 2-0 against Robert Morris. Those guys who were calling us overrated last week..care to comment? :D

http://twitter.com/Gimbi James Gimbi

RIT wins in regular time on RMU’s ice in the highest pressure AHA match this year. Can we put RMU’s hype to bed yet?

J-Mac

I hope you are wrong again on Saturday, an RIT win versus Merrimack on Saturday puts RIT back in the top 20 on Monday!

Chris Lerch has been writing for USCHO.com for over 10 seasons, most recently as Atlantic Hockey Columnist. He's been the radio voice of Rochester Institute of Technology hockey for almost two decades.Tweets by @chrislerch